Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Antz is an animated comedy that will have lots of appeal for teens and adults, especially for fans of Woody Allen's brand of humor -- ironic social commentary and perpetual worry. However, the action in this film is substantial. It's meant to be exaggerated and funny, but though the victims are ants and other insects, for young or sensitive kids they're relatable characters -- ¿ living, breathing beings with human voices. There are many deaths: great battles occur along with the aftermath on fields covered with bodies (and include a sad deathbed scene of a well-liked ant soldier). The strutting villain tortures two heroes and threatens to drown the entire ant colony; the ants escape the rushing waters with no time to spare. Other characters are blown to smithereens or turned to ash. Two couples flirt, fall in love, and kiss. There's some potty language and swearing ("tight-ass," "hell," "damn," "anus," "crap") and the ants have a local pub in which they drink an intoxicating beverage.
Sexual
Content
Some flirtatious behavior with mild innuendo ("I was going to let you be part of my erotic fantasy") and a few kisses.
Violence
Extensive cartoon violence throughout. Ants conduct a pre-emptive war against an army of termites who are huge and shoot acid from their foreheads. Combatants are stabbed, stomped, and massacred. Their lifeless bodies are shown on the remnants of the battlefield. An important character is tortured on camera, his female friend held against her will. Other scenes include: sun rays burning up insects on the ground, falls, an intimidating grasshopper, threats of being crushed by giant tennis shoes, and a sequence in which the entire ant colony narrowly escapes a ranging rush of water.
Language
A few insults --"idiot," "maggot," "tight-ass" -- and some swearing: "damn," "hell," "anus," "crap," "butt." One character inadvertently eats insect poop.
Social
Behavior
Very clearly promotes individualism and thinking for yourself. "Be your own ant" and "Make your own choices" are heard repeatedly. Blindly following orders proves to be fatal. Teamwork, a good attitude, and a strong work ethic are also encouraged.
Consumerism
In "Insectopia" a paradise for bugs, we see the remains of garbage: Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Hershey Bars, and a can of Kendall Motor Oil.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Worker ants spend their evenings at a colony bar, drinking an unidentified beverage. One ant is identified as a drunk, and others worry they may have had "too much to drink" upon occasion.
